This October, the world’s finest watches to be exhibited in Dubai, courtesy of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and international awards ‘Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève’

Press release

Published September 8th, 2013 - 06:46 GMT

Guests viewing line up

Presented by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the only globally recognized independent international awards for excellence in watchmaking, the “Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève” (GPHG) makes its inaugural visit to Dubai to showcase the leading contenders for best timepieces in their respective categories. Acknowledging the growing strength, relevance and importance of the Middle East as a market for Swiss timepieces, this is the first time that the GPHG exhibition will be coming to the Middle East, as part of its international tour. The unique exhibition will be hosted at Cuadro Fine Art Gallery in DIFC, and will be complimentary to view from 23rd – 24th October 2013.

Shortlisted from more than 200 nominees, 70 watches will be on display, vying for the top spot in 10 categories including innovative and complicated watches. In addition to opportunity to see watches that are pushing the boundaries of technical innovation, design and novelty by leading watch brands, workshops by watch experts and collectors will also be offered on both days.

Mr. Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Vice-Chairman of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, has had the distinct honor of serving as a jury member at the 2011 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awards and has been instrumental in bringing these awards to the Middle East. He commented, “It is a source of great pride for the United Arab Emirates that the GPHG will be exhibiting in Dubai – the GPHG attracts the crème de la crème of the watchmaking industry and is a coveted distinction that is sought after by the biggest names in the watch-making industry. To have the opportunity to experience firsthand these complicated, technically complex and visually inspiring timepieces is a rare privilege and I look forward to sharing our passion for Swiss watches with the guests attending the exhibition.”

The local official event partner is Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines. “With 1,483 departures a week from our hub in Dubai, time is everything to Emirates so it is fitting that we are the Official Airline for this event”, said Sheıkh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (Gulf, Middle East & Iran). “Our links to Geneva, one of the world’s great watch making centres, grew closer in 2011 when we launched daily flights to the city, our second gateway to Switzerland after Zurich. Connecting people, cultures and ideas every day, Emirates is very much pro-business and we wish the organisers and participants a successful exhibition in Dubai.”

Offering an intimate insight into the world of exceptional timepieces, the GPHG exhibition brings together the biggest stars of the horology industry. Beyond the Middle East, the GPHG exhibition will tour destinations such as Beijing, Singapore, and Geneva, the winners will be announced on 15th November 2013.

The event is also supported by JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, a luxury hotel synonymous with standards of excellence and distinction. Guests at the event will enjoy a myriad of five star amenities in the hotel, including a food and beverage portfolio of 14 outlets, cutting edge business facilities and over 8,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor event space.

The GPHG’s global partner is the Edmond de Rothschild Group, a major player in finance that serves large institutional and private clients throughout the world.

Background Information

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons

The first Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons shop was located in Bur Dubai. As business grew, the Ahmed Seddiqi & sons retail presence expanded from a single shop in Dubai’s souk to a formidable network of elegant stores.
Mr. Ahmed Qasim Seddiqi maintained his focus by offering quality Swiss watches to an array of clients, including royalty and politicians. He furthered the company’s growth through his exclusive franchise agreements with the world’s leading Swiss watch companies and he safeguarded the business by keeping Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons a tight-knit family operation.
The first franchise agreement was signed with Swiss watch brand, West End Watch Co. in 1949, after which the portfolio of brands expanded to include over 90% of the world’s luxury Swiss watch brands.
Today, the passion for luxury watches is deeply embedded into the ethos of the Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons’ family.
What started as one man's passion over 60 years ago is today an empire that brings luxury and honesty to the hearts of watch collectors all over the world.